November 4th Post

This blog post I wanted to discuss my feelings regarding the class since that was the main topic of our last meeting.  Hopefully these comments will be helpful for the future classes. 

·         Handbook, updated website (complete with the professors’ pictures, which makes it so much nicer when you can’t remember a name or are meeting someone for the first time) are a MUST!  Organization within the department will make it that much easier on the students and faculty.  Any more these days, a website is the first place people go for information therefore, it is crucial that the information is up to date and relevant. Also making the website inviting is huge.  Often times, a company's/school's website is a direct reflection of the program...if that is the case ours is in trouble.  

·         I think the CLD graduate program should have an orientation, not only as a way to get familiar with the program but to meet other students.  It would be important if professors and faculty members were there as well.  It might seem overwhelming to have all this information tossed at you but the sooner you understand what is require of you, the easier the road will be.  

·         I would have definitely taken an introduction to graduate school as a first year student.  As a second year student, I can see where an introduction class might not benefit one as much.  But I am using this class as “what I should have done last year, but had no idea…now I really need to work on this type of class”.  But as a person doing distance learning, this class has had it benefits, if not for anything to catch up on the latest information.  Since we don’t get to hang out in the office or are around professors all day, sometimes I feel like we are forgotten when it comes to information, internships, or other available opportunities.

But ideally this would be beneficial for all first year students to take.  Plus it could even cover topics not covered in first year courses, like IRB, sitting up a committee, etc.

I can definitely see the benefits of taking a class like this.  And as a service to the students think it is something that should be carried on in the future.